Tape-like object feeding device and label tape printing device

ABSTRACT

A tape-like object feeding device in accordance with the present invention comprises a feeding mechanism  7  for feeding a tape-like object toward an outlet and a cutting mechanism  8  for cutting the tape-like object fed by the feeding mechanism. An ejection roller  62  is placed at a position on the outlet  9  side of the cutting mechanism  8.  The ejection roller  62  ejects the tape-like object cut off by the cutting mechanism  8  through the outlet by revolving while making contact with the tape-like object. The feeding device further comprises control means which controls at least one of revolving speed, revolving time and revolving timing of the ejection roller  62  in the ejection of the tape-like object depending on at least one selected from the type of the tape-like object, the thickness of the tape-like object, the width of the tape-like object and a feeding length of the tape-like object by the feeding mechanism  7.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the composition of a tape-like objectfeeding device capable of feeding a tape-like object, cutting thetape-like object being fed, and ejecting a tape strip which has been cutoff.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As a conventional tape-like object feeding device (device for feeding atape-like object), a configuration for cutting tape with a cuttingmechanism and thereafter forcefully ejecting the tape strip through anoutlet is well known. For example, one of such configurations has beendescribed in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 2002-167092. Inthe configuration described in the document, an ejection roller isplaced by a tape ejection path. The ejection roller makes contact withthe tape strip while revolving and thereby flicks out the tape strip tothe outside of the device. Between the ejection roller and a motor fordriving the roller, a power transmission mechanism is installed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

However, conventional tape-like object feeding devices have not beenable to change the ejecting power (revolving time, revolving speed,etc.) of the ejection roller properly even when the width, type, etc. ofthe tape to be ejected varies.

Therefore, when a lot of tape strips of various lengths are ejected fromthe outlet, the tape strips are scattered about randomly and the work ofcollecting the scattered tape strips later has been a burden on users.

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide afeeding device capable of properly changing the ejecting power of theejection roller when the width, type, etc. of the tape to be ejectedvaries.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provideda tape-like object feeding device for feeding a tape-like object,comprising a feeding mechanism that feeds the tape-like object toward anoutlet, a cutting mechanism that cuts the tape-like object fed by thefeeding mechanism, an ejection roller placed on the outlet side of thecutting mechanism for ejecting the tape-like object cut off by thecutting mechanism through the outlet by revolving while making contactwith the tape-like object, and control means which controls at least oneof revolving speed, revolving time and revolving timing of the ejectionroller in the ejection of the tape-like object depending on at least oneselected from a type of the tape-like object, a thickness of thetape-like object, a width of the tape-like object and a feeding lengthof the tape-like object by the feeding mechanism.

By the above composition, ejection distance of the tape-like object bythe ejection roller can be changed and adjusted depending on thethickness, width, type or feeding length of the tape-like object.Therefore, even when a lot of tape-like objects are cut off and ejected,the random scattering of the tape-like objects can be avoided and thetape-like objects can be handled in a lump.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a tape-like object feeding device for feeding a tape-likeobject, comprising a feeding mechanism that feeds the tape-like objecttoward an outlet, a cutting mechanism that cuts the tape-like object fedby the feeding mechanism, an ejection roller placed on a downstream sideof the cutting mechanism in a feeding path of the tape-like object forejecting the tape-like object cut off by the cutting mechanism byrevolving while making contact with the tape-like object, and controlmeans which executes driving control of the ejection roller in theejection of the tape-like object which has been cut off, depending on atleast one selected from a type of the tape-like object and a feedinglength of the tape-like object by the feeding mechanism at a point whenthe tape-like object is cut off by the cutting mechanism.

By this composition, the ejection distance of the tape-like object canbe changed and adjusted depending on at least one of the type of thetape-like object and the feeding length of the tape-like object by thefeeding mechanism at the point when the tape-like object is cut off bythe cutting mechanism.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a printing device comprising a feeding mechanism that feeds atape-like object toward an outlet, a cutting mechanism that cuts thetape-like object fed by the feeding mechanism, an ejection roller placedon a downstream side of the cutting mechanism in a feeding path of thetape-like object for ejecting the tape-like object cut off by thecutting mechanism by revolving while making contact with the tape-likeobject, an image formation unit placed on an upstream side of thecutting mechanism in the feeding path for forming an image on thetape-like object, and control means which executes driving control ofthe ejection roller in the ejection of the tape-like object which hasbeen cut off, depending on at least one selected from a type of thetape-like object and a feeding length of the tape-like object by thefeeding mechanism at a point when the tape-like object is cut off by thecutting mechanism.

By this composition, the ejection distance of the tape-like object canbe changed and adjusted depending on at least one of the type of thetape-like object and the feeding length of the tape-like object by thefeeding mechanism at the point when the tape-like object is cut off bythe cutting mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall composition of a tapeprinting device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the tape printing device with its lid opened.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the tape printing device with its lid opened.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the composition of a cartridgestoring part.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the composition of the cartridge storingpart.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a tape cartridgehas been loaded in the cartridge storing part.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the cartridge storing part showing the movementof tape being fed inside the tape cartridge.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the overall composition of a tapecutting mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view viewing the cartridge storing part from itsbase.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the tape cutting mechanism showingthe behavior of label tape being fed and passing between a retainermember and a receiving member in the tape cutting mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the tape cutting mechanism showinga state in which the retainer member has moved and the label tape issandwiched and held between the retainer member and the receivingmember.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the tape cutting mechanism showinga state in which the retainer member withdraws a little after thecutting of the label tape and the label tape is ejected by an ejectionroller.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a control system of the tape printingdevice.

FIG. 14 is a main flow chart showing a control flow of the tape printingdevice.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing a subroutine of a tape cutting/ejectionprocess.

FIG. 16 is a table showing a table stored in a ROM for specifyingdriving time of an ejection unit drive motor.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, a description will be given in detail ofa preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

[Overall Composition]

First, the outline of a tape printing device in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall composition of the tapeprinting device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 2 is a general plan view of the tape printing devicewith its lid opened. FIG. 3 is a general side view of the tape printingdevice with its lid opened.

The tape printing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a body 2 which containsan main control unit (not shown) including a CPU, RAM, etc. In a frontpart of the top of the body 2, various operation keys 3 such as a powerkey and character string input keys are arranged. The body 2 is providedwith a liquid crystal display 4 for displaying inputted characterstrings, etc.

A lid 5 is rotatably provided to a rear part of the top of the body 2 tobe openable and closable. FIGS. 2 and 3 shows a state in which the lid 5has been opened. As shown in FIG. 2, a cartridge storing part 6, a tapefeeding mechanism 7, a tape cutting mechanism 8 and a tape ejectingmechanism 11 are formed inside the lid 5.

Into the cartridge storing part 6 formed inside the lid 5, a tapecartridge 10 containing label tape can be loaded.

In this composition, when the tape cartridge 10 is loaded in thecartridge storing part 6 and a proper one (print key) of the operationkeys 3 is pressed, the tape feeding mechanism 7 is driven and therebythe label tape is formed inside the tape cartridge 10 while a characterstring, etc. inputted through the keys 3 are printed on the label tapeby a thermal head 32 (see FIG. 5) which will be explained later.

The label tape after being printed on is cut off by the tape cuttingmechanism 8 when a proper one (cutting key) of the operation keys 3 ispressed, by which a strip of label tape is obtained. The label tapestrip is ejected by the tape ejecting mechanism 11 through an outlet 9(FIG. 2, FIG. 3) formed on a lateral face of the body 2.

[Composition Around Cartridge Storing Part]

Next, the composition around the cartridge storing part 6 will bedescribed in detail referring to figures from FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the composition of the cartridgestoring part 6, FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the composition of thecartridge storing part 6, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a statein which a tape cartridge has been loaded in the cartridge storing part6, and FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the movement of tape being fedinside the tape cartridge.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the cartridge storing part 6, detached from the body 2and loaded with no tape cartridge 10, is shown.

The cartridge storing part 6 includes a frame 21 which is made of a flatmetal plate. On the under surface of the frame 21, a cartridge drivemotor 22 is mounted (FIG. 5, etc.). The motor shaft 23 of the cartridgedrive motor 22 projects into the top side of the frame 21. The motorshaft 23, a roll-up drive spindle 24 (rotatably supported by the frame21) and a roller drive spindle 25 (rotatably supported by the frame 21)are linked together by a reduction gear train 26.

Although not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the cartridge storing part 6is attached to the body 2, a tabular cover plate 34 covering thereduction gear train 26 is attached as shown in FIG. 2, by which thereduction gear train 26 is protected from dust and dirt.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the tape cartridge 10 has been loaded inthe cartridge storing part 6. In the state of FIG. 6, the roll-up drivespindle 24 engages with a ribbon roll-up spool 83 (explained later)which is rotatably supported inside a housing 80 of the cartridge 10while the roller drive spindle 25 engages with a joining roller 84(explained later) which is rotatably supported similarly inside thecartridge 10.

Therefore, in this state, by driving the cartridge drive motor 22, theribbon roll-up spool 83 and the joining roller 84 of the tape cartridge10 can be driven. In other words, driving force by the cartridge drivemotor 22 is utilized as driving force for feeding the tape inside thetape cartridge 10.

The frame 21 is provided with an arm 28 swingable around a spindle 27.Near the free end of the arm 28, a platen roller 29 and a feeding roller30 (both having a surface made of elastic material such as rubber) areplaced side by side to be rotatable.

The frame 21 is further provided with a plate 31 protruding therefrom.On the platen roller side of the plate 31, the thermal head 32 (as animage formation unit) is placed. The thermal head 32 has a plurality ofheating elements arranged in one or more lines in a direction orthogonalto the feeding direction of the tape (specifically, laminate tape 91which will be explained later).

The arm 28 is equipped with an bias spring (not shown). The bias springconstantly applies biasing force to the arm 28 for letting the platenroller 29 push the plate 31 and letting the feeding roller 30 push thejoining roller 84 of the tape cartridge 10.

The tape printing device 1 of this embodiment can be used for printingon label tapes of various widths/types by replacing the tape cartridge10.

For automatic detection of the type of the tape cartridge 10, acartridge type sensor 70, including five push button switches(projecting vertically) arranged in the shape of “L”, is provided to aproper position on the top surface of the frame 21 as shown in FIGS. 2and 4. Meanwhile, on the tape cartridge 10, cartridge type indicationholes 71 are formed at positions corresponding to some push buttonswitches of the cartridge type sensor 70 (at parts of the base of thehousing 80 in the vicinity of a corner) as shown in FIG. 7. Thecartridge type indication holes 71 indicate the width, thickness, type(a laminate type, a non-laminate type (the so-called receptor type), aninstant lettering type or a cloth-transfer type (ironing transfertype)), etc. of the label tape of the tape cartridge 10 by their holepattern (the presence/absence of a hole at each of five positionscorresponding to the push button switches). Therefore, when the tapecartridge 10 is attached to the cartridge storing part 6, the tapeprinting device 1 can automatically judge the width, thickness, type,etc. of the label tape based on the result of detection by the cartridgetype sensor 70.

Next, a tape cartridge capable of forming label tape of a laminatethermal transfer type will be explained below as a representative of theaforementioned various tape cartridges.

As shown in FIG. 7, the tape cartridge 10 of the laminate thermaltransfer type includes a housing 80 which is made of synthetic resin ina box shape, a laminate spool 81, a ribbon supply spool 82, a ribbonroll-up spool 83, a joining roller 84 and a base supply spool 85. Thelaminate spool 81, ribbon supply spool 82, ribbon roll-up spool 83,joining roller 84 and base supply spool 85 are supported respectivelyinside the housing 80 to be rotatable.

Around the laminate spool 81, transparent laminate tape 91 made of a PET(polyethylene terephthalate) film, etc. is rolled up into a small roll.Around the ribbon supply spool 82, ink ribbon 92 is rolled up into asmall roll.

Around the base supply spool 85, double-layer tape 93 is rolled up. Thedouble-layer tape 93 is made of two layers: double-stick tape 93 a(having an adhesive layer on both sides) and strippable tape 93 b (stuckon one side of the double-stick tape 93 a). The double-layer tape 93 hasbeen rolled up around the base supply spool 85 with its strippable tapeside facing outward and its opposite side (exposing the adhesive layer)facing inward.

As mentioned before, the joining roller 84 is rotatably supported insidethe housing 80. The joining roller 84 pushes the feeding roller 30 ofthe main body and thereby joins the double-layer tape 93 supplied fromthe base supply spool 85 and the laminate tape 91 supplied from thelaminate spool 81 together.

The ribbon roll-up spool 83 is also supported rotatably inside thehousing 80. The ribbon roll-up spool 83 rolls up the ink ribbon 92 afterbeing supplied from the ribbon supply spool 82 and used.

The ribbon roll-up spool 83 and the joining roller 84 are driven androtated by power transferred from the cartridge drive motor 22 of themain body, by which the laminate tape 91 supplied from the laminatespool 81 and the ink ribbon 92 supplied from the ribbon supply spool 82are overlaid on each other and fed to the thermal head 32. Byselectively energizing heating elements of the thermal head 32 while thelaminate tape 91 and the ink ribbon 92 stacked up are pressed againstthe thermal head 32 by the platen roller 29, ink on the ink ribbon 92 istransferred to the laminate tape 91. By this configuration, a desiredimage of a character string, symbols, etc. inputted through the keys 3can be formed on the laminate tape 91.

After passing by the thermal head 32, the laminate tape 91 and the usedink ribbon 92 are fed separately. The laminate tape 91 is fed to thefeeding roller 30. Meanwhile, as mentioned before, the double-layer tape93 pulled out from the base supply spool 85 is fed to the joining roller84 with its adhesive exposing side (with no strippable tape 93 b) facingoutward in regard to the joining roller 85. By the pressure of thefeeding roller 30 and the joining roller 84, the laminate tape 91 andthe double-layer tape 93 are joined and bonded together.

Consequently, label tape 100 having three-layer structure, including thedouble-layer tape 93 and the laminate tape 91 (on which characters,symbols, etc. have been recorded) stuck on the double-layer tape 93, isformed. The label tape 100 is fed toward the outlet 9 by the rotation ofthe joining roller 84. The label tape 100 which has been printed on andfed is cut off by the tape cutting mechanism 8 (provided in the vicinityof the outlet 9) and ejected by the tape ejecting mechanism 11 (alsoprovided in the vicinity of the outlet 9). The detailed composition ofthe tape cutting mechanism 8 and the tape ejecting mechanism 11 will bedescribed later.

From the label tape 100 ejected from the outlet 9, the strippable tape93 b can be stripped away to expose the adhesive layer. The label tape100 exposing the adhesive layer can be used as a label which can bestuck on a desired part of a desired object.

[Composition of Tape Cutting Mechanism]

Next, the composition of the tape cutting mechanism 8 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the overall composition of the tapecutting mechanism.

Incidentally, the thermal head 32 side (the upstream side in the tapefeed direction) is in front of the sheet of FIG. 8 while the outlet 9side (the downstream side) is behind the sheet of FIG. 8.

The tape cutting mechanism 8 has its own cutting mechanism frame 33. Onthe cutting mechanism frame 33, a plurality of members (including acutter blade 35 for cutting the label tape 100, a retainer member 36 forholding the label tape 100 when the label tape 100 is cut by the cutterblade 35, a receiving member 37, etc.) are mounted integrally.

The cutting mechanism frame 33 can be fixed to the frame 21 of thecartridge storing part 6 with screws. Conversely, the cutting mechanismframe 33 can be detached from the frame 21 of the cartridge storing part6 by taking out the screws while maintaining the state in which themembers are integrally mounted on the cutting mechanism frame 33.Therefore, the cutting mechanism frame 33 allows for maintenance work(replacement of the cutter blade 35, etc.) in the state of FIG. 8detached from the frame 21, by which easy maintenance is realized.

The composition of the tape cutting mechanism 8 will be explained inmore detail referring to FIG. 8.

On one side of the traveling path of the label tape 100, a guide shaft38 is vertically supported by the cutting mechanism frame 33 while ascrew shaft 39 is rotatably supported in parallel with the guide shaft38.

The guide shaft 38 supports a cutter carriage 44 so that the cuttercarriage 44 can slide to and fro in the lengthwise direction of theguide shaft 38 (the direction indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 8, whichis the width direction of the label tape 100). The cutter blade 35 isfixed to an edge of the cutter carriage 44 on the label tape 100 side.Into the cutter carriage 44, the screw shaft 39 is screwed, by which thecutter carriage 44 is moved to and fro in the direction of the arrow Awhen the screw shaft 39 is rotated normally and reversely.

As mentioned above, FIG. 9 is a perspective view viewing the cartridgestoring part 6 (to which the cutting mechanism frame 33 has beenattached) from its base. As shown in FIG. 9, a cutter blade drive motor40 for driving the screw shaft 39 is mounted on the under surface of theframe 21 of the cartridge storing part 6. The motor shaft of the cutterblade drive motor 40 is linked with the screw shaft 39 via a worm gear41 and reduction gears 42 and 43.

In this composition, by driving the cutter blade drive motor 40 normallyand reversely, the cutter carriage 44 can be driven to and fro in thedirection of the arrow A (see FIG. 8), letting the cutter blade 35 runacross the label tape 100 and cut the label tape 100.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 8, etc., the cutter carriage 44 isintegrally provided with a position indication rib 49 protrudingtherefrom, while rib sensors 50 and 50 are placed at both ends in themoving direction of the cutter carriage 44 (at lateral positions in thewidth direction of the label tape 100 avoiding interference of thecutter blade 35 with the label tape 100). Therefore, the cutter carriage44 existing at (which has moved to) an end of its moving range can bedetected by the rib sensor 50 by detecting the position indication rib49. The detection is used for drive control of the cutter blade drivemotor 40.

The cutting mechanism frame 33 is further provided with the retainermember 36 formed in a “U” shape to surround the guide shaft 38, thescrew shaft 39 and the cutter carriage 44.

The retainer member 36 has two flat end faces facing the label tape 100(facing the receiving member 37 which will be explained later). The twoend faces form two retaining surfaces 36 a and 36 b. Each retainingsurface 36 a, 36 b is formed in a long and narrow shape to extend in thewidth direction of the label tape 100 (the direction A in FIG. 8),therefore, each retaining surface 36 a, 36 b has a lengthwise directionparallel to the width direction of the label tape 100.

The retainer member 36 is attached to the cutting mechanism frame 33 viaa proper slide guide mechanism. Therefore, the position of the retainermember 36 can be changed in the thickness direction of the label tape100 (indicated by an arrow B in FIG. 8).

A configuration for changing the position of the retainer member 36 isshown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, a retainer member drive motor 45 ismounted on the top surface of the frame 21. The motor shaft of theretainer member drive motor 45 projects into the base side of the frame21 and a gear 46 is attached to the projecting part. The gear 46 islinked to an end of a first arm 51 (which is in an “L” shape andsupported on the under surface of the frame 21) via a reduction geartrain 47. The other end of the first arm 51 is linked to an end of asecond arm 52 (in a linear shape) which is supported on a lateral partof the cutting mechanism frame 33 at its central part. The other end ofthe second arm 52 is linked with the retainer member 36.

In this configuration, by driving the retainer member drive motor 45normally and reversely, the retainer member 36 can be moved to and froin the direction of the arrow B (see FIG. 8).

Meanwhile, on the other side of the traveling path of the label tape 100(opposite to the retainer member 36), the receiving member 37 is placedas shown in FIG. 8, etc. Projections 53 formed at the top and bottomends of the receiving member 37 are slidably engaged with guide grooves54 properly formed in the cutting mechanism frame 33. Consequently, thereceiving member 37 is supported on the cutting mechanism frame 33 to bemovable in the lengthwise direction of the guide grooves 54 (thedirection indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 8, which is the thicknessdirection of the label tape 100).

The receiving member 37 is provided with two flat receiving surfaces 37a and 37 b facing the aforementioned two end faces of the retainermember 36 (two retaining surfaces 36 a and 36 b) respectively. Betweenthe receiving surfaces 37 a and 37 b, a groove (hollow part) 37 c isformed.

The receiving surfaces 37 a and 37 b and the groove 37 c are formed inthe width direction of the label tape (the direction A in FIG. 8) tohave lengthwise directions parallel to the direction A.

Between the receiving member 37 and the cutting mechanism frame 33, biassprings 48 are provided. The bias springs 48 constantly apply biasingforce to the receiving member 37 in a direction letting the receivingmember 37 approach the retainer member 36.

With the above configuration, the label tape 100 can be cut by thefollowing procedure. In a step before cutting the label tape 100 withthe cutter blade 35, the retainer member 36 is moved toward thereceiving member 37 by driving and revolving the retainer member drivemotor 45, by which the label tape 100 is sandwiched between theretaining surfaces 36 a, 36 b and the receiving surfaces 37 a, 37 b.Since the receiving member 37 is pushed toward the retainer member 36 bythe biasing force of the bias springs 48, the label tape 100 is fixedfirmly by the receiving member 37 and the retainer member 36. In thisstate, by letting the cutter blade 35 run in the direction A shown inFIG. 8, the label tape 100 is cut.

[Tape Ejecting Mechanism]

Next, the composition of the tape ejecting mechanism 11 will bedescribed referring mainly to FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 4, the tape ejecting mechanism 11 is formed on theframe 21 of the cartridge storing part 6. The tape ejecting mechanism 11includes a tape guide 14 and a roller spindle 61. The roller spindle 61is rotatably supported by the tape guide 14 at a position just on thedownstream side of the tape cutting mechanism 8 and on one side of thetraveling path of the label tape 100. An ejection roller 62 is fixed tothe roller spindle 61. The periphery of the ejection roller 62 makescontact with the label tape 100.

On the under surface of the frame 21, an ejection unit drive motor 63 ismounted as shown in FIG. 4. The motor shaft 64 of the ejection unitdrive motor 63 projects into the top side of the frame 21. The motorshaft 64 is linked to the roller spindle 61 via a reduction gear train65.

On the other side of the traveling path of the label tape 100 (oppositeto the ejection roller 62), a retainer arm 66 is supported on the frame21. The retainer arm 66 formed in an “L” shape points its tip toward theejection roller 62. A wheel 67 is rotatably supported at the tip of theretainer arm 66.

The retainer arm 66 is linked with the second arm 52 which moves theretainer member 36 in the tape cutting mechanism 8. Therefore, when theretainer member drive motor 45 is driven and the label tape 100 issandwiched and held between the retainer member 36 and the receivingmember 37, the retainer arm 66 also moves toward the ejection roller 62,by which the label tape 100 is sandwiched and held between the ejectionroller 62 and the wheel 67 at the tip of the retainer arm 66.

In the above composition, by driving the ejection unit drive motor 63after the cutting (the aforementioned full cut) of the label tape 100 isexecuted by the cutter blade 35 of the tape cutting mechanism 8, theejection roller 62 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 with thelabel tape 100 sandwiched between the outer surface of the ejectionroller 62 and the wheel 67. Consequently, the label tape 100 after beingcut off is fed by the ejection roller 62 and ejected from the outlet 9to the lower left of FIG. 4.

As above, the ejection unit drive motor 63 for driving the ejectionroller 62 is provided independently of the cartridge drive motor 22 fordriving the tape feeding mechanism 7. Therefore, the ejection roller 62can be driven and stopped independently of the motion of the tapefeeding mechanism 7, by which revolving speed, revolving time,revolution start/stop timing, etc. of the ejection roller 62 can becontrolled freely (details of the drive control of the ejection roller62 will be described later).

Further, the ejection unit drive motor 63 is used for driving theejection roller 62 only (exclusively for the driving of the ejectionroller 62), therefore, the ejection roller 62 can be controlledindependently of other mechanisms.

It is possible to use the ejection unit drive motor 63 also for drivingother mechanisms like the tape feeding mechanism 7. In such cases, theejection roller 62 can be driven and stopped by switching theconnection/disconnection of power transmission from the ejection unitdrive motor 63 to the ejection roller 62 by use of a proper powerconnection/disconnection mechanism like a cam, clutch, planetary geartrain, etc.

Next, the cutting by the cutter blade 35 and the ejection by theejection roller 62 will be described referring to FIGS. 10 through 12.

Incidentally, FIGS. 10 through 12 correspond to cross-sectional viewstaken along the line X-X shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows the behavior of the label tape being fed and passingbetween the retainer member 36 and the receiving member 37 in the tapecutting mechanism 8. In other words, FIG. 10 shows a state in which thelabel tape 100 being printed on by the thermal head 32 is fed by thejoining roller 84.

FIG. 11 shows a state in which the retainer member 36 has moved and thelabel tape is sandwiched and held between the retainer member 36 and thereceiving member 37.

FIG. 12 shows a state in which the retainer member withdraws a littleafter the cutting of the label tape and the label tape is ejected by theejection roller.

When the printing by the thermal head 32 is executed, the retainermember 36 is moved by the retainer member drive motor 45 to withdrawenough in a direction separating from the traveling path of the labeltape 100 (direction separating from the receiving member 37). Althoughthe receiving member 37 is biased toward the retainer member 36 by thebias springs 48, when the projections 53 (FIG. 8) of the receivingmember 37 make contact with edges at the ends of the guide grooves 54,the receiving member 37 can not move further toward the retainer member36. Therefore, the retaining surfaces 36 a and 36 b of the retainermember 36 and the receiving surfaces 37 a and 37 b of the receivingmember 37 separate from each other and a gap is formed between themembers 36 and 37 as shown in FIG. 10. The label tape 100 fed by thejoining roller 84 while being printed on by the thermal head 32 passesthrough the gap.

Incidentally, the traveling of the label tape 100 is not disturbed bythe cutter carriage 44 or the cutter blade 35 since the cutter carriage44 has withdrawn to a position by the tape traveling path.

In the state of FIG. 10, the retainer arm 66 of the tape ejectingmechanism 11 is also at a withdrawn position and thereby the wheel 67stays apart from the ejection roller 62. Therefore, the traveling of thelabel tape 100 is not disturbed by the retainer arm 66 or the wheel 67.In the tape printing/feeding state of FIG. 10, by properly revolving theejection roller 62 clockwise in FIG. 10, the traveling of the label tape100 is assisted by the ejection roller 62 and thereby the label tape 100can be fed smoothly.

After the printing by the thermal head 32 is finished, the cartridgedrive motor 22 is stopped so as to stop the feeding by the joiningroller 84 while the retainer member drive motor 45 is driven so as tomove the retainer member 36 in a direction approaching the receivingmember 37. Consequently, the label tape 100 is sandwiched and firmlyfixed between the retainer member 36 and the receiving member 37 asshown in FIG. 11. In this state, the retainer arm 66 also moves towardthe ejection roller 62 and thereby the label tape 100 is sandwiched andheld between the wheel 67 and the ejection roller 62.

In this state, by driving the cutter blade drive motor 40, the cutterblade 35 moves in the direction A shown in FIG. 8 and cuts the labeltape 100. Consequently, a label tape strip 100 a (FIG. 12), cut awayfrom the label tape 100, is formed on the downstream side of the cuttingposition. The label tape strip 100 a is sandwiched and held between thewheel 67 and the ejection roller 62 while also being sandwiched and heldbetween the retainer member 36 and the receiving member 37.

Subsequently, the retainer member drive motor 45 is driven and therebythe retainer member 36 is withdrawn a bit, by which the holding by theretainer member 36 and the receiving member 37 is released while theholding by the wheel 67 and the ejection roller 62 is maintained asshown in FIG. 12.

In this state, by driving the ejection unit drive motor 63, the ejectionroller 62 revolves clockwise in FIG. 12 and thereby the label tape strip100 a is ejected toward the outlet 9.

[Control System]

Next, a control system employed in this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the control system of the tapeprinting device 1 of this embodiment. FIG. 14 is a main flow chartshowing a control flow of the tape printing device. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a tape cutting/ejection process. FIG. 16is a table showing a table which is stored in a ROM for specifyingdriving time of the ejection unit drive motor.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the tape printing device 1, a central processingunit (CPU) 101 for controlling the whole tape printing device 1, a RAM102 for storing temporary data, a nonvolatile memory (NV-RAM) 103 forstoring semi-fixed data, and a ROM 104 for storing fixed data such as acontrol program are connected together by a bus 105. To the bus 105, akey input processing unit 106 for receiving and processing key inputsfrom the operation keys 3, an LCD control unit 107 for controllingdisplay on the liquid crystal display 4, and a printing/cuttingmechanism control unit 108 for controlling the thermal head 32, variousmotors, etc. are also connected.

The printing/cutting mechanism control unit 108 includes a thermal headcontrol circuit 110 for controlling electric currents to be supplied tothe heating elements of the thermal head 32 as a printing unit. Theprinting/cutting mechanism control unit 108 further includes variouscontrol circuits (111-114) for controlling the driving/stopping of thecartridge drive motor 22, the retainer member drive motor 45, the cutterblade drive motor 40, the ejection unit drive motor 63, etc.

The printing/cutting mechanism control unit 108 further includes asensor input circuit 115 for receiving and processing electric signalsfrom the cartridge type sensor 70 and the rib sensors 50, 50.

FIG. 14 shows a main flow indicating the operation of the above controlsystem. In the loop of the main flow, the CPU 101 first judges whetheror not any one of character string editing keys 3 a has been pressed(step S101). When a key has been pressed (S101: YES), the CPU 101executes a subroutine of a character string editing process (S102). Inthe subroutine process, a character is added to or deleted from thecharacter string stored in the RAM 102 depending on the pressed key andthereby memory contents of the RAM 102 and the display on the liquidcrystal display 4 are updated.

Subsequently, the CPU 101 judges whether the print key 3 b has beenpressed or not. If the print key 3 b has been pressed (S103: YES), theCPU 101 executes a subroutine of a print process (S104). In thesubroutine of the print process, the contents of the RAM 102 stored inthe character string editing process (input character string data) areread out and image data is developed and temporarily stored in the RAM102 according to the input character string data, while driving thecartridge drive motor 22. According to the image data, electric currentis selectively supplied to heating elements of the thermal head 32 withprescribed timing, by which a corresponding image is formed on thelaminate tape 91. The driving of the cartridge drive motor 22 iscontinued further, letting the joining roller 84 join the laminate tape91 and the double-layer tape 93 together, by which the label tape 100 isformed. At the point when the image formation part of the label tape 100has moved to the downstream side of the cutter blade 35, the driving ofthe cartridge drive motor 22 is stopped at last.

In step S105, the CPU 101 judges whether a “cutting” key 3 c has beenpressed or not. If the “cutting” key 3 b has been pressed (S105: YES),the CPU 101 executes a subroutine of a tape cutting/ejection process(S106).

The above is the main loop. Next, the subroutine of the tapecutting/ejection process will be described below.

[Subroutine of Tape Cutting/Ejection Process]

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the subroutine of the tapecutting/ejection process (step S106 of FIG. 14). In this flow, the CPU101 first moves the retainer member 36 (at the withdrawn position inFIG. 10) to the position of FIG. 11 (cutting position) by properlydriving the retainer member drive motor 45, letting the retainer member36 and the receiving member 37 sandwich and hold the label tape 100(S201).

Since the wheel 67 also moves toward the ejection roller 62 along withthe movement of the retainer member 36, the label tape 100 is alsosandwiched and held between the wheel 67 and the ejection roller 62while being sandwiched and held between the retainer member 36 and thereceiving member 37.

In step S202, the CPU 101 cuts the label tape 100 and forms a label tapestrip 100 a by driving the cutter blade drive motor 40 in the stateshown in FIG. 11 and letting the cutter carriage 44 run from one end tothe other end. The label tape 100 cut off in the step S202 is held beingsandwiched between the wheel 67 and the ejection roller 62.

In the next step S203, the CPU 101 withdraws the retainer member 36 abit by properly driving the retainer member drive motor 45 and therebyreleases the holding of the label tape 100 by the retainer member 36 andthe receiving member 37 as shown in FIG. 12 (the holding of the labeltape strip 100 a by the wheel 67 and the ejection roller 62 is notreleased).

Subsequently, by a process from step S204, the ejection roller 62 isrevolved and thereby the label tape strip 100 a is ejected from theoutlet 9. In the tape printing device 1 of this embodiment, therevolving time of the ejection roller 62 is changed in various waysdepending on the type of the label tape 100.

Specifically, the time for passing an electric current through theejection unit drive motor 63 has been preset as shown in FIG. 16depending on the type of the label tape 100 (laminate type ornon-laminate type), the width of the label tape (6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, 18mm, 24 mm, 36 mm) and the length of the label tape strip 100 a.

For example, when 6-mm-wide label tape of a laminate thermal transfertype is used and the length of the label tape strip 100 a is 150 mm, theelectric current is passed through the ejection unit drive motor 63 for30 ms. Even if the label tape strip is of the same type and same length,the ejection unit drive motor 63 is energized only for 20 ms when thelabel tape width is 24 mm.

When the label tape width is 6 mm, the time for passing the electriccurrent through the ejection unit drive motor 63 increases 1.5-fold (therevolving time of the ejection roller 62 also increases 1.5-fold)compared to a corresponding case where the label tape width is 24 mm, bywhich the ejection roller 62 revolves more powerfully and the label tapestrip is fed toward the outlet 9 at higher speed.

Such a light label tape strip (6 mm wide) can have little inertial forceand thus its ejection speed is easily diminished by air resistanceduring the ejection through the outlet 9. The above time control isbased on consideration aiming to compensate for the fast decay ofejection speed by increasing the initial ejection speed.

The contents of the table of FIG. 16 are prestored in a proper storagearea 104X of the ROM 104 (or the NV-RAM 103) in a table format.

In step S204, the CPU 101 determines the type of the tape cartridge 10(the width and type of the label tape 100) based on the detection by thecartridge type sensor 70.

The CPU 101 also determines the length of the label tape strip 100 a bycalculation. The length of the label tape strip 100 a is figured outbased on the character string length of the input character string dataand set values regarding print margins, etc., that is, based oninformation on the size of the image formed on the label tape strip 100a. It is also possible to specially provide the tape printing device 1with a sensor for detecting the feeding length of the label tape 100directly and mechanically.

In step S205, the CPU 101 determines the driving time of the ejectionunit drive motor 63 (time for passing the electric current through theejection unit drive motor 63) by applying these parameters (the widthand type of the label tape 100 and the feeding length of the label tape100 (the length of the label tape strip 100 a)) to the table of FIG. 16.Thereafter, the ejection unit drive motor 63 is driven for thedetermined driving time (S206).

Consequently, the time for driving the ejection roller 62 can beadjusted finely depending on the width and type of the label tape 100and the length of the label tape strip 100 a (the feeding length of thelabel tape 100). For example, when a label tape strip 6 mm wide isejected, the ejection roller 62 is driven for a longer time compared toa case where a label tape strip 24 mm wide is ejected. Therefore, evenwhen a lot of various label tape strips 100 a are created and ejected,the scattering of ejected label tape strips 100 a over a wide area canbe avoided.

After the ejection of the label tape strip 100 a, the CPU 101 drives theretainer member drive motor 45 and thereby moves the retainer member 36to the original withdrawn position of FIG. 10 (S207). Since the wheel 67also separates from the ejection roller 62 along with the movement ofthe retainer member 36 to the withdrawn position, the printing/feedingof the label tape 100 becomes possible again. When the step S207 isfinished, the subroutine of the tape cutting/ejection process is ended.

As described above, by the present invention, ejection distance of atape-like object can be changed and adjusted depending on at least oneselected from the shape, the material and the type (laminate structure,etc.) of the tape-like object and the feeding length at the point whenthe tape-like object is cut by the cutting mechanism.

While the above description has been given of an embodiment of thepresent invention, the technical scope of the present invention is notto be restricted by the above particular illustrative embodiment.Various modifications, design changes, etc. can be made to theembodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of the presentinvention.

For example, while the revolving time of the ejection roller 62 iscontrolled in the above embodiment, it is also possible to control therevolving speed, revolving timing, etc. of the ejection roller 62 inaddition to (or instead of) the revolving time control.

Even when the length of the label tape strip 100 (the feeding length ofthe label tape 100) is the same, the revolving control of the ejectionroller 62 can be changed depending on the contents of printing. By suchcontrol, ejection positions of labels (positions as the result ofejection) can be grouped into several groups depending on the contentsof printing, by which the handling of labels after the ejection can befacilitated further.

When sequential printing in the order of sequence numbers is carriedout, the revolving control of the ejection roller 62 may be changeddepending on the printing order (numerical order). In this case, theworkload of the user for arranging the ejected labels in the printingorder can be lightened.

It is to be appreciated that the above description of the embodiment hasbeen given by way of illustration and the scope of the present inventionis not to be restricted by the particular illustrative embodiment but tobe understood based on the description of the appended claims.

1. A label tape printing device for printing on a tape-like object,comprising: a tape-like object feeding device for feeding the tape-likeobject, the tape-like object feeding device including: a feedingmechanism that feeds the tape-like object toward an outlet; a cuttingmechanism that cuts the tape-like object fed by the feeding mechanism;an ejection roller placed on an outlet side of the cutting mechanism forejecting the tape-like object cut off by the cutting mechanism throughthe outlet by revolving while making contact with the tape-like objectwherein the ejection roller is operated independently of any cuttingmechanisms; a sensor that determines at least one of a type of thetape-like object and a thickness of the tape-like object; and acontroller which controls at least one of revolving speed, revolvingtime and revolving timing of the ejection roller in ejecting thetape-like object depending on the determination by the sensor.
 2. Thelabel tape printing device according to claim 1, wherein the tape-likeobject feeding device further includes a driver for driving the feedingmechanism and a driver for driving the ejection roller are providedseparately and independently.
 3. The label tape printing deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising: an image formation unit placedon an upstream side of the cutting mechanism for forming an image on thelabel tape.
 4. The label type printing device according to claim 1,wherein the sensor further determines a feeding length of the tape-likeobject by the feeding mechanism at the point when the tape-like objectis cut off by the cutting mechanism.
 5. A tape-like object feedingdevice for feeding a tape-like object, comprising: a feeding mechanismthat feeds the tape-like object toward an outlet; a cutting mechanismthat cuts the tape-like object fed by the feeding mechanism; an ejectionroller placed on a downstream side of the cutting mechanism in a feedingpath of the tape-like object for ejecting the tape-like object cut offby the cutting mechanism by revolving while making contact with thetape-like object wherein the ejection roller is operated independentlyof any cutting mechanisms; a sensor that determines at least one of atype of the tape-like object and a thickness of the tape-like object;and a controller which executes driving control of the ejection rollerin ejecting the tape-like object which has been cut off, depending onthe determination by the sensor.
 6. The tape-like object feeding deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein the type of the tape-like object includesat least one selected from shape, material and laminate structure of thetape-like object.
 7. The tape-like object feeding device according toclaim 5, wherein the controller changes control regarding at least oneof revolving time, revolving speed and revolving timing of the ejectionroller depending on at least one selected from the type of the tape-likeobject determined by the sensor and a feeding length of the tape-likeobject by the feeding mechanism at the point when the tape-like objectis cut off by the cutting mechanism.
 8. The tape-like object feedingdevice according to claim 5, wherein the sensor determines the type ofthe tape-like object.
 9. The tape-like object feeding device accordingto claim 5, wherein the controller includes: a first driver that drivesthe ejection roller; and a second driver that drives the feedingmechanism, and wherein the ejection roller and the feeding mechanism arecontrolled independently by driving the first and second driversseparately.
 10. The tape-like object feeding device according to claim5, wherein the controller includes: a common driving system which isused for driving the ejection roller and the feeding mechanism; and apower connection/disconnection mechanism for switchingconnection/disconnection of power transmission from the common drivingsystem to the ejection roller or the feeding mechanism, and wherein theejection roller and the feeding mechanism are controlled independentlyby controlling the power connection/disconnection mechanism.
 11. Thetape-like object feeding device according to claim 5, wherein thecontroller includes a calculating system which calculates a feedinglength of the tape-like object by the feeding mechanism at the pointwhen the tape-like object is cut off by the cutting mechanism based oninformation on contents of printing on the tape-like object.
 12. Thetape-like object feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the sensorfurther determines a feeding length of the tape-like object by thefeeding mechanism at the point when the tape-like object is cut off bythe cutting mechanism.
 13. The tape-like object feeding device accordingto claim 5, wherein the tape-like object is a label tape.
 14. Thefeeding device according to claim 5, wherein the controller controls atleast the revolving time of the ejection roller in ejecting thetape-like object depending on at least one selected from a type of thetape-like object, a thickness of the tape-like object, and a width ofthe tape like object.
 15. A printing device comprising: a feedingmechanism that feeds a tape-like object toward an outlet; a cuttingmechanism that cuts the tape-like object fed by the feeding mechanism;an ejection roller placed on a downstream side of the cutting mechanismin a feeding path of the tape-like object for ejecting the tape-likeobject cut off by the cutting mechanism by revolving while makingcontact with the tape-like object wherein the ejection roller isoperated independently of any cutting mechanisms; an image formationunit placed on an upstream side of the cutting mechanism in the feedingpath for forming an image on the tape-like object; a sensor thatdetermines at least one of a type of the tape-like object and athickness of the tape-like object; and a controller which executesdriving control of the ejection roller in ejecting the tape-like objectwhich has been cut off, depending on the determination by the sensor.16. The printing device according to claim 15, wherein the controllerexecutes the driving control of the ejection roller in the ejection ofthe tape-like object which has been cut off, further considering atleast one selected from information on size of the image generated bythe image formation unit and order of image formation in sequentialformation of a plurality of images.
 17. The printing device according toclaim 15, wherein the sensor further determines a feeding length of atape-like object by the feeding mechanism at the point when thetape-like object is cut off by the cutting mechanism.